Toy baseball game



Aug. 6, 1929- A. F. ZIMMERMAN TOY BASEBALL GAME Fil ed Oct. 2'5, 19% r a Sheets-Sheet &

Aug. 6, 1929; A. F. ZIMMERMAN TOY BASEBALL GAME Filed Oct. 25, 1928 3 Sheets-$het Aug- 6, 192 A. F. ZIMMERMAN TOY BASEBALL GAME Filed Oct. 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet AFZJEMEPJJZi/J Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLF F. ZIMMERMAN, OF MELLEN, WISCONSIN.

TOY BASEBALL GAME.

Application filed October 25, 1928.

This invention relates to toy baseball games.

Objects of this invention are to provide a game apparatus which may be operated by opposing players to pitch and hat a ball or counter in a manner to approximate that of the standard baseball game, and in which mechanism is provided for securing this pitching and batting action, such ntiechanism being manipulable by the opposing players and requiring a considerable degree of skill for its successful operation.

Further objects are to provide a baseball game in which the interval required for a player to run to first base is deterl'nined by a rolling ball, so that the pitcher or one of the players is given a limited time in which to act and may select anyone of several plays before the rolling ball arrives at the pocket corresponding to a safe run.

Further objects are to provide a batting apparatus which may be operated or held in a restrained position by the batter so that he can exercise his judgment as to selecting the ball at which to strike, pockets being provided for receiving the counter when the counter does not pass within the required proximity to thebatter.

Further objects are to provide a baseball game apparatus in which mechanism is provided which arrests the motion of the rolling ball prior to its arrival at the first base pocket provided Certain elements are struck by the pitcher prior to the arrival. of the ball at the end of its run.

Further objects are to provide an apparatus in which the stopping mechanism is automatically reset whenever the pitcher resets the device to hold the ball adjacent home base.

Further objects are to provide a device which is so made that a large variety of plays may be selected by the opposing players and in which quick decision and considerable skill are required after the selection has been made. The time in which the plays are made are limited automatically by a rolling ball.

An eml'iodimentof the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the device; Figure Qis a View from the underside thereof;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3"?) of Figures 1 and 2;

Serial No. 314,898.

Figure 1 is a sectional view on the line &4: of Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring to thedrawings, it will be seen that the device comprises a table 1 which is equipped with marginal flanges 2 extending around three sides thereof. The other side is furnished with diagonal flanges 3 and 4. One of the flanges, for instance, the flange on the right hand side, numbered 3, is provided with a groove 5 within which a ball 6 is adapted to roll.

This ball is restrained under certain conditions from rolling down the groove by means of a movable pin 7 The groove slants downwardly towards First base and is provided with a hole 8 at its extreme end through which the ballmay drop into a net-like pocket 9. If the ball succeeds in dropping into this pocket, it is considered a successful run of the batter.

A corresponding net-like pocket 10 is positioned on the opposite side of the board. The board is preferably divided up into various sections by means of different colored areas indicated for instance by the reference characters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. These areas,as stated, are differently colored. ()ne arrangement of coloring may be described as follows: The area 11 is colored blue. The areas 12, 13, and 14 are colored red. The areas 15, 16, 18, and 19 are colored tan, and the relatively large areas, in the outer portion of the lield indicated by the reference character 17, is colored green. The outer corner portionsof thetable are provided with cut-outs throughwhich slanting platforms or guidewaysfZU project. These guideways are colored tan.

The area 18 is provided with a plurality of pockets arranged in two groups on opposite sides of the center line. The pockets 21 are marked 2-13 or 2 base to indicate a two base hit when the counter falls in these pockets. The pockets 22 are marked 3-15 or 3 base to indicate a three base hit. The

pockets 23 are colored red and are considered out by the batter whenever the counter falls therein The green area is also provided with a pair of widely spaced pockets 24: which are colored green and which count out for the batter, but which also permit the pitcher to make other plays by lifting the counter from the pocket and shooting in a manner hereinafter to be described.

The board is provided with a cut-out portion in the rear flange within which a counter may be positioned, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. This counter may be a wooden ring, as indicated. A lever 26 is urged inwardly by means of a spring 27 and is pivotally mounted upon a movable supporting rod or lever 28. The forward end of the supporting rod is pivoted, as indicated at 29 in Figures 2 and 3. The spring is preferably attached at one end to this rod and at the other end through the medium of connecting members 30 to the lever 26, The lever 26 is shiftable in a recessed portion 31 of a guid ing frame :32 carried by the rear flange of. the table. The rear portion of the supporting bar 28"is slotted and slides upon a transverse arcuate supporting strap 33 secured to the underside of the table, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, it is possible for the pitcher to rock the supporting bar 28 about its pivot point 29 by suitably manipulating the lever 26. \Vhen he has secured the desired angle for the shot, he releases the lever 26 from the position shown in Figure 3, and allows it to strike the counter 25, thus shooting the counter towards the batter.

he batting end of the table is equipped with a blackarea 34 which is slotted, as indicated by the reference character 35. Immediately rearwardly of the area 34, which may be called Home base, is located a pocket 36. On opposite sides of the pocket 36, a pair of pockets 37 are provided.

A lever 38 is pivotally mounted'below the table and extends upwardly through the slot 35, as shown most clearly in Figure 3. It is urged inwardly by means of the spring 39. A link 40 extends from the lever 38 to a batter lever 41 pivoted adjacent the bat ters end of the table.

In batting, the player draws the lever 41 backwardly, as shown in Figure 3, and when he thinks that the pitched ball is within reach, he releases the lever 41 and allows this lever, together with the lever 38 to snap forwardly and strike the pitched ball, thus shooting it back, outwardly into field. If it falls into the pockets 37, it may be called a ball, whether or not the player strikes it, depending upon the particular-rule selected.

A pair of stop signs'are provided, located one in front of each pocket 37. The right and left hand stop signs are indicated by the reference characters 42 and 43, respectively. They are carried by levers 43 and '44, whose forked lower ends are pivotally mounted upon the projecting arms of a U-shaped member 45." This U-shaped member is pivotally mounted beneath the table, as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

The U-shaped pivotal support 45 for the stop signs is rocked upwardly or downwardly by means of a transverse lever 47 (see Figures 2 and 4). This transverse lever is pivoted, as indicated at 48, in Figure 4, and is slotted, as indicated at 49, and receives one of the arms of the U-shaped member 45. The outer end of the lever 47 is provided with an upwardly projecting rod 50 which extends through an aperture in the table 1 and is provided with a key or manipulating knob 52. Further, the pin 7, previously described, is pivotally connected to the lever 47, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, when the button or key 52 is depressed, the pin 7 is drawn downwardly and releases the ball 6. In addition to this, the support 45 is elevated, thus positioning the stop signs 42 and 43 above the top surface of the table, their upper positions being shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. This motion of the lever 47 simultaneously depresses the pin 7 and allows the ball (3 to roll downwardly in the slot 5. The pitcher tries to strike one or the other of the stop signs 42 or 43 by shooting the counter 25 against the appropriate stop sign whenever the counter lands in the area 17.

The lever 43 of the stop sign 42 is connected by means of a link 53 with a horizontal lever 54 pivoted intermediate its ends, as indicated at 55. Similarly, the lever 44 of the stop sign 43 is connected by means of a link 56 with a horizontal lever 57 pivoted intermediate its ends, as indicated at The levers 54 and 57 are provided with rods 59 and 60 respectively, whose forward portions are guided by means of an apertured bracket 61 (see Figure 2).

lV hen either lever 54 or 57 moved by means of the corresponding stop sign. one of the rods is projected transversely beneath the opening 8 (see Figure 2) and thus the ball 6 is prevented from dropping through the opening into the pocket 9 and the batter is, consequently, out.

In order to reset the stop" signs in the r innermost position. a pair of arms or projecting portions (32 are positioned beneath the table and rearwardly of the levers 43' and 44 (see Figures 2 and \Vhenevcr the key or button 52 is raised, the levers 43' and 44 are moved downwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 5. and are c msequentl moved forwardly by contacting with the stops or resetting arms 62. These resetting arms may also be seen in Figure 5.

The marginal flange 2 is provided with apertures 63. 64, and (55 adjacent which legends 1, 2, and 3 are positioned to indicate first, second, and third base. Tally members or stationary counters 66 (see Figure (l) are employed to indicate the men on base.

These tally members are provided With shanks (STadapted to enter the appropriate aperture of the groups 63, 64, and 65.

The table is braced preferably by diagonal brace members (38 (see Figure 2) positioned on its underside, and a plurality of feet (39 ex tend dowi'iwardly from these diagonal brace members and thus hold the table elevated above the support upon which it is rested.

The rules of the game are as follows:

rtfter having decided on positions, the batter places the marble 6 in the slot 5 behind the pin 7, raises the key marked 52 so that the marble is held in place and. is now ready to hat. The pitcher must in every case win it until the batter isin readiness and PI'UPtLl'Utl to bat. If a batter misses, or fails to strike at a pitched ball and it lands in the center or strikes the pocket 36, it is a strike.

A pitched. ball, if struck at or not, landing .in either ball pocket marked 37, is a ball. Advanced players can decide before agame if they want this rule to stand or if they want such called strikes in case the batter strikes at it. i

A weak pitched ball not con'iiug up to the batter is a ball.

. A pitched, or batted, ball coming to rest on the black color is a ball.

A wild pitched ball coming to rest on any partot the field, or a wild pitched. ball striking a side wall and glancing off so as to land in the catchers strike pocket 36, is a ball.

A batted ball landing in either outer pocket 23 is a foul ball. (Not out.)

A batted ball coming to rest on any part of the area 11 is a foul ball.

A freak hit; when the ball is batted over any side or end well out of the field, is a foul ball.

\Vhen the batter bats the ball into either the first or third base pocket 9 or 10. or into any red pocket in the out-field, or, when a batted ball, which has been driven into the out-field, should; happen to bound or roll back and land in either the strike or ball pocket, the batter is out. If any runners are on bases they hold same.

\Vhen a batted ball comes to rest on any of the areas 12, 13 or 1ft, the batter is out provided 110 base or bases are occupied. If any runners are on bases the pitcher can call any one of the runners out he desires, instead of the batter, but all other runners occupying bases advance one base. Example: If first and third base should be occupied, the pitcher would naturally call the runner on third out to prevent him from scoring and let the runner on first advance to second, the batter being safe on first base.

lnm'iediately following a safe hit, or base on balls, the batter places a runner on first base and in case it is already occupied, or any other base or bases are occupied. such runners are advanced one base. In like manner, a runner is placed on second or thirdbase. following a two or three base hit and the. runners already occupying bases advanced accordingly. A home-run naturally cleans the bases.

(1) A batted ball coming to rest on the area 1.9 or 18 in either inor out-field is a safe hit.

(2) If a batted ball comes to rest within the boinulary line of the iii-field marked 2 base indicated by the reference characters 15 and 16, it is a two-base hit; likewise. if it land s in the out-field pocket 21 or 22, n'iarkell 2 base or 3 base it is a two or three base hi.t,respeetively. i

(3) If a ball is batted, out through either opening 20 at right or left (nit-field corner, it a home-run. It must,.however, pass entirely out and off theboard if it 0011108 to rest on the board it will be a safe or one-base hit.

(4) lVhen a batted ball comes to rest on the field or area 17 and the pitcher fails in his attempt to hit the putout sign 42 to the right side of the better before the marble arrives and drops into the first base pocket, it is a safe hit.

When a batted ball comes to rest on the .field or area 17, it develops into a case of ability and quick action by both players to determine if it is a safe hit or a put-out and is decided as follows:

Immediately following such a hit, the batter presses down key 52 as far as it goes, which Will release the marble or ball 6 and automatically raise the two put outsigns e l-.22 and 43. This causes the marble to speed towards first base in the same manner as a player in the actual outdoor game would do and it is the pitchers aim to; snap or shoot the ball. or shooter 25 from where itlays, it strikes the put-out sign to the right of the batter, marked 42 on the drawings. If he succeeds in striking the sign with the necessary celerity it will stop or block the marble from landing in the first-base pocket andthe batter is out, but if the pitcher fails to act (in time) with the necessary liirecisitm, or mis-shoots the ball so that the marble lands in the pocket, or if he strikes the sign to the left of the batter marked 43,. it is a: safe hit..

If first base is occupied and the pitcher succeeds in the put-out action, the first base runner is out and the batter re-occupies first base.

If second or third base, or both, are occupied, the pitcher should endeavor to strike the put-out sign 43 to the left of the batter. If he succeds in time to block the marble 6, he can call the runner on second or third base out, the batter naturally being safe on first.

If a batted ball comes to rest in a pocket 24 in the field 17, the pitcher has the alternative to either let same rest in pocket and call the batter out, or if bases are occupied and he feels capable of doing so he can pick up the ball, place it on any desirable spot on the field 17 and shoot at the put-out sign. If he succeeds in blocking the marble it amounts to a double play; if sign 42 was struck he calls the batter and runner on first base (if occupied) out, and if sign 43, he calls the batter and any runneron either second or third base out, providing of course such are occupied by runners. Should he for any reason fail in his attempt on a double play, then'the original ruling governs: The batter is out. Any runner, or runners,-occupying bases and not put out, hold same.

The pitcher mustnot stop a batted ball; he must Wait until it comes to rest on the field 17 before he touches or shoots same.

Neither should the batter press down the key releasing the marble until he is reasonably sure the ball will come to rest on the field or area 17. If no bases are occupied, he can take this risk, but if any runners are on and the ball should happen to come to rest on fields 12, 13, 14 or inone of the pockets 23, it will then amount to a double 'play the batter is out and the pitcher can call any other runner out he desires. All other runners occupying bases hold same It will be seen that the game will incite considerable interest and will maintain this interest, as it requires judgment and skill on the part of the players.

Further, it is to be understood that various changes ma be made withoutdeparting from the spirit 0 the invention. For example, the batting mechanism may be shiftable in the same manner as the pitching mechanism to thus vary the angle at which the ball is struck.

It will be seen that a very novel form of toy baseball game hasbeen provided by this invention which is so constructed that each of the players is given an opportunity to exercise not only his skill but also his judgment as well.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus adapted to simulate a baseball game comprising a table having one end provided with a pitchers station aml the other end provided with a home base, a pitching mechanism positioned at said pitchers station, a batting mechanism located at the home base, a plurality of pockets located behind said batting mechanism, a sign member positioned in front of one of said pockets and movably supported, a flange carried by said table and provided with a groove leading downwardly and outwardly from adjacent said home base, a ball normally restrained from motion and carried within said groove, a pocket located adjacent the outer end of said groove into which said ball is adapted to drop when the restraining means is released by the operator, and stopping mechanism located adjacent said. pocket for stopping the motion of said ball, said stopping mechanism being controlled by said sign member.

2. A game apparatus adapted to simulate a baseball game, said apparatus comprising a table, means for throwing a counter from adjacent one end of said table, batting means for batting said counter adjacent the other end of said table, a sign member pivotally carried by a shiftable lover, a track slanting downwardly and outwardly from adjacent the batting mechanism and terminating in an aperture, a pocket located below said aperture, a ball adapted to roll down said track into said pocket, means for restraining the motion of said ball, manually controlled means for releasing said last mentioned means and for shifting the sign member, a stop adapted to be projected across said aperture to arrest the motion of said ball adjacent said pocket, said stop being operated by the lever of said sign member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto set my hand at Mellon. in the county of Ashland and State of Wisconsin.

ADOLF F. ZIMMERMAN.

(all 

